Pet Care 101: Why and When to Spay or Neuter Your Puppy or Kitten

October 16, 2018

The topic of pet spay/neuter procedures continually creates buzz. What are the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet? When is the optimal age to spay/neuter? Is the procedure the right choice for my pet?

There are numerous benefits to having your pet spayed or neutered, most importantly:

Prevention of diseases

Improved behavior

Reducing the number of unwanted pets in shelters

Spaying/neutering your pet can help your pet live a longer, healthier life by preventing potentially life-threatening illnesses such as:

Breast cancer

Uterine infections

Testicular cancer

Additionally, behaviors such as heat cycles, territory marking, aggression, and the urge to roam can be significantly improved by altering your pet.

These procedures also help the community by reducing the number of unwanted animals in shelters and on the streets. The spay/neuter approach is also highly cost-effective when compared to the cost of providing for a litter, treating illnesses and caring for your pet if they are hurt while roaming.

The industry standard recommends that your pet undergo this surgical procedure by the time they have reached 6 months of age, however, every pet is different. It is important to discuss your options with your veterinarian to determine the best plan for your pet.